SALE ON LATE-SUMMER/FALL 2024 TRAVEL TO 
SCOTLAND — SAVE UP TO $788/prs! DETAILS HERE.
— the central highlands —
best scotland touring base
— edinburgh: urban —
apts. in scotland’s capital
— inverness & the north —
city apts. & highland cottages
— special request regions —
glasgow • borders • islands
The Power & Majesty of
SCOTLAND
Edinburgh’s Castle Rock evokes the fierce power struggles between Highland Clans, Scottish nationalists, and the British overlords throughout Scotland’s history. Discover Scotland’s volatile history here in the nation’s capital. Home At First’s Edinburgh apartments are just minutes walking time from the castle and all the attractions of the culturally rich city center.
Photo of Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock above Princes Street Gardens copyright Home At First.
SCOTLAND — THE POWER & MAJESTY
Discover Scotland: Independent Travel
Using Quality Vacation Cottages & Apartments
Scotland — Ancient Traditions & Modern Surprises Wrapped in a Legendary Landscape
Discover Scotland with Home At First: travel independently from a vacation cottage or holiday apartment of your own. Scotland will inspire your imagination and surprise you with the variety of cultural and natural wonders.
You will discover Scotland has more than 25% of the landmass of Britain but less than 10% of Britain’s population. You will discover Scotland’s fierce northern Celts, Vikings and Highlander clans. You will discover Scotland’s wild, romantic panorama of high, barren mountains, mysterious black lochs, and hidden glens.
You will discover Scotland’s many castles scattered across its captivating landscape. Its traditional fishing & farming economy is bolstered by a modern economy of oil and hi-tech. You will discover modern Scotland is semi-autonomous, hardworking, and prosperous. Per capita, Scotland is the wealthiest of the four states of the United Kingdom, the British union Scotland has voted partially to leave.
You will Discover Scotland’s venerable cities — Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness — are rejuvenated, revitalized, chic, even hip cultural centers of modern Europe, the continental union Scotland did not vote to leave via Brexit. More than ever, a visit to Scotland will fulfill your dreams of its traditional past and surprise you with the discovery of a nation not standing on past glories and romantic legends alone, but determined to forge its place in the future.
Home At First’s DISCOVER SCOTLAND Travel Program in a Nutshell:
INCLUDES:
• Round-trip transatlantic
FLIGHTS
to Glasgow or Edinburgh
• 7 Nights of
LODGINGS
in a Scotland cottage or apartment
• Ground
TRANSPORT:
rental car or railpass.
Already have Flights?
We have good-value Ground-only
& Lodging-only options available.
Basic Itinerary Character
1-Week in
SCOTLAND
Live Scottish in your cottage in a village or town.
Or, live in a city apartment in Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Inverness.
Explore Scotland at your own pace by rental car or railpass.
Tip: Add a low-cost 2nd week in the same lodging
to intensify your experience.
Lodgings
Weekly Rentals
Cottages in:
• The Central Highlands
• The Northern Highlands
• The Southern Borders
Apartments in:
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Inverness
Special Request Locations:
• Isle of Skye
• Outer Hebrides
• The Shetlands
Tip: take a week in 2 different locations
to enrich your experience.
On-Site Costs:
Food & Activities Range from:
$—$$$$
Independent travel in Scotland — especially in rural
Scotland — can be done on a manageable budget.
Tip: Using your lodging’s
well-equipped kitchen can really help save.
$$$
Excellent Value, thanks to Home At
First’s low Full-Package prices.
Combinable!
with Home At First destinations throughout
the British Isles, Continental Europe,
and Scandinavia.
Tip: Visit multiple destinations for
just one transatlantic airfare.
Languages Spoken:
British
But expect to struggle understanding some thicker
accents, especially in Glasgow, & Aberdeen.
(M)OTHER TONGUES
In remote Scotland you may hear Scots (SW to NE Scotland
& east of the Great Glen) or Scottish Gaelic west of the
Great Glen especially in the Hebrides isles.
Flight Length
to Scotland from North America
7+ hrs from the
East Coast
11+ hrs from the
West Coast
North American flights arrive at
Glasgow Airport (GLA)
or Edinburgh Airport (EDI).
Connecting Flights May Be Necessary!
Most non-stop flights to Scotland
originate on the East Coast.
Family Friendly?
♥♥♥♥♥
Kids love the outdoor activities and much of the
food (fish & chips, yes!; haggis, no!), and especially like
exploring Scottish castles (but not whisky distilleries,
golf courses, or tartan & tweed shops).
Tip: take the family on a monster
search to Loch Ness.
Foodie Friendly?
♥♥♥♥
Traditional Scottish mainstays like poached salmon
and Angus beef steak or stew, served with Scottish ale or
rare single malt Scotch whisky add delicious
authenticity to your discovery of Scotland.
Tip: Save room for
Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert!
Famously Walkable
Scots love walking, and not just on the golf course.
Home At First’s Scotland lodgings — rural and city —
offer fine short walks: to shops, pubs, attractions,
& famous view-points. Wear sensible shoes &
carry a mac or a brolly!
Tip: Walks of all types are listed
in our Scotland Hiking Guide.
Activities
• Car Touring
• Golf
• Exploring historic sites: castles,
cathedrals, & museums
• Fishing
• Walking, & hiking
• Shopping
• Eating!
• Tracing the Whisky Trail
• Scenic Day-trips by train
• Short ferry trips to the Inner Hebrides
• Highland Games & festivals
• Tracing your family tree
The Best Times to Go:
April through October when the weather is
outdoorsy, and at Christmas and Hogmany (the
Scottish New Year) when Scotland
indoors is inviting and cozy.
Tip: Scotland is busiest during July & August
when the Edinburgh Festival, the Royal
Tattoo, and many Highland Games occur.
Where we go to Discover Scotland
WHAT COMES WITH HOME AT FIRST’S DISCOVER SCOTLAND TRAVEL PROGRAM
HOME AT FIRST BUILDS INDIVIDUAL TRAVEL PACKAGES TO SCOTLAND THAT INCLUDE:
• Quality Lodgings: Fixed Package Price lodgings are available in six regions of Scotland: the Central Highlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, the Northern Highlands, and the Scottish Borders. Custom-priced, special-request travel packages with lodgings are available for Scotland’s islands: the Inner Hebrides, the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides), Orkney, and the Shetland Island.
• Round-trip Flights: Our airline experts plan your round-trip flights to Scotland (usually to Glasgow, frequently to Edinburgh, but also to Inverness, whichever of these is the best choice for your needs) from your home airport.
Our price chart includes round-trip fares based on flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) to Glasgow (GLA). Flights from/to all other airports available for applicable fare supplements or reductions.
• Ground Transport: We recommend and arrange the appropriate ground transportation for your trip. Options include: car rental, ScotRail and BritRail transport passes, as well as individual railway & ferry tickets.
• Our ‘Scotland Activity Guide’ Keyed for Your Scotland Destination to help you make the most out of your visit. Includes suggestions for touring, walking, pubs, restaurants, shopping, museums, galleries, much more.
• Special Support Services in Central Scotland: Our dedicated on-site staff offers arriving guests an orientation meeting, on-call back-up assistance, and a delightful traditional Scottish dinner party.
• Optional Driver or Driver/Guide: Don’t want to drive in Scotland? We can arrange for an independent driver or driver/guide for as many days as you wish.
• Real People Providing Real Help in Real Time: Home At First helps all its travelers complete the steps necessary to officially enter, efficiently move about, and properly return home from their international destinations.
If conditions change during your travels, our support staff remains on-call to answer your questions & provide any assistance needed.
Discover
SCOTLAND’S CENTER
THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
Young Highlanders,
Central Scotland
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
Our Lodgings:
RURAL COTTAGES
SCOTLAND’S
TOURING CENTER
Our most popular Scottish location, set in a romantic landscape of stunning beauty: the lochs & mountains of Scotland’s Central Highlands.
Our cottages in Scotland’s Central Highlands are set in picture postcard villages & towns away from tourist throngs, a central location ideal for exploring Scotland.
Home At First guests in Scotland’s Central Highlands receive our exclusive “Scotland Activity Guide”, full of suggestions and maps for day trips and other activities: Of course the region is universally known as
• a paradise for golf
• a fishing nirvana
• hiking heaven
But there is much more to do in Scotland’s Central Highlands:
• Trace family roots.
• Attend a Highland Games.
• Cycle on dedicated, bike routes.
• Explore dozens of castles.
• Shop for tartans & tweeds.
• Cruise mysterious lochs.
• Rail-cruise across the moors from the Highlands to the sea.
• Visit scotch distilleries on the Whisky Trail.
• Discover and enjoy fine restaurants throughout Central Scotland.
Scotland’s Central Highlands is our serviced program area in Great Britain — especially valuable for first-time visitors — with on-site staff providing full-time back-up assistance & support, orientation to help get you up to speed quickly, and a fun dinner party.
For visitors not wishing to drive in Scotland, our Scotland’s Central Highlands offers drivers & driver/guides available most times of year — please inquire.
TO GET MORE INFO & SEE SOME SAMPLE LODGINGS, PRESS THIS BUTTON:
Discover
SCOTLAND’S GREAT CITIES
edinburgh & glasgow
PIPER ON EDINBURGH’S
CASTLE HILL
EDINBURGH
Our Lodgings:
CITY APARTMENTS
EDINBURGH —SCOTLAND’S CAPITAL
Edinburgh, capital of Scotland, is an ancient, royal city and a lively, cultured, modern city.
Visitors come for the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, kilted guards at the Castle, the pageantry of the Tattoo, the world-class variety of the Festival, tweeds, tartans, & whisky.
Our comfortable, quality Edinburgh apartments are centrally situated in historic, culturally rich Old Town, within 4-12 minutes walk of The Castle, the Royal Mile, Princes Street, and Edinburgh’s principal railway station.
Convenient city transport and excellent intercity rail service means visitors can explore Edinburgh and parts of Scotland & England without needing a rental car.
TO GET MORE INFO & SEE SOME SAMPLE LODGINGS, PRESS THIS BUTTON:
APARTMENT CRESCENT IN GLASGOW
GLASGOW
Our Lodgings:
CITY APARTMENTS
GLASGOW —
SCOTLAND’S BIG CITY
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, is a cultural center, with noted art museums, gardens, theater, attractive shops, restaurants, pubs, and rail stations with connections all over Britain.
Our comfortable Glasgow apartments are conveniently situated city center in the midst of shopping, cultural attractions, restaurants, & pubs.
Glasgow’s 2 major train stations are within 5-minutes walk of our lodgings, meaning visitors can explore the city as well as parts of Scotland & England without needing a rental car.
FOR A SELECTION OF AVAILABLE GLASGOW LODGINGS, CONTACT US:
Discover
SCOTLAND’S NORTH
INVERNESS &
THE NORTHERN HIGHLANDS
INVERNESS CASTLE, NORTHERN Scotland
INVERNESS
Our Lodgings:
CITY APARTMENTS
INVERNESS —
HIGHLAND CITY
Much of the north of Scotland is wild and sparsely populated, the great exception being the historic regional capital, Inverness.
Home At First offers well-equipped, modern apartments in the very center of Inverness, a short walk from the castle, the banks of the River Ness, the city’s railway station, and the dozens of shops & restaurants of the busy pedestrian mall.
Inverness is a small city and regional transport center. As a touring base, Inverness is the hub of Northern Scotland’s road system.
In 5 minutes drive time you can be out of the city and underway to destinations in any direction.
For those not wanting to drive, Inverness offers rail and bus service to many popular destinations, including the nearly mythical Isle of Skye to the southwest, John O’Groats in the far north, Aberdeen to the east, and the Cairngorms National Park to the south.
TO GET MORE INFO & SEE SOME SAMPLE LODGINGS, PRESS THIS BUTTON:
A NORTHERN HIGHLANDS ESTATE COTTAGE
NORTHERN HIGHLANDS
Our Lodgings:
RURAL ESTATE COTTAGES
SCOTLAND’S
NORTHERN HIGHLANDS
Our cottages in Scotland’s Northern Highlands are on a Highlands estate near the Royal Burgh of Tain about 50 minutes north of Inverness. The estate provides activities: hiking, cycling, fishing, and archery. Nearby are several excellent links golf courses.
Touring the Northern Highlands by car from east coast to west coast leads through wild, dramatic scenery, by mysterious castles, with stops for lunch and tea in cozy, remote villages.
TO GET MORE INFO & SEE SOME SAMPLE LODGINGS, PRESS THIS BUTTON:
Discover
SCOTLAND’S SOUTH
THE SCOTTISH BORDERS
THE EILDON HILLS FROM SIR WALTER SCOTT’S VIEW, ScotTISH BORDERS
the scottish BORDERS
Our Lodgings:
ESTATE COTTAGES NEAR MELROSE
A SUBLIME LANDSCAPE HIDES A TUMULTUOUS HISTORY
The Scottish Borders is a region for centuries in dispute, fought over by Celts, Romans, Vikings, Angles, Normans, English, and Highland & Lowland Scots.
Home At First‘s Scottish Borders cottages are in/near the pretty market town of Melrose, a perfectly central base for touring Scotland south of Edinburgh to and across the English border.
The Scottish Borders is set in a pleasant landscape of rolling hills and wild, rushing rivers, dotted with small villages and larger market towns. Agriculture is the way of life.
The many walking paths, fishing streams, and golf courses offer tranquility. The numerous abbeys and castles are curiosities standing as mute witnesses to a much less peaceful history and great fun to find and explore.
FOR LODGINGS AVAILABILITY IN THE SCOTTISH BORDERS, CONTACT US:
Discover
SCOTLAND’S ISLANDS
Tobermory, isle of mull, inner hebrideS
ISLE of SKYE, INNER & OUTER HEBRIDES, ORKNEY, & THE SHETLANDS
special request LOCATIONs
Home At First offers special-request, custom-made, partial-week packages to the remote islands of Scotland:
• The Western Isles (Outer Hebrides) including Lewis & Harris, North and South Uist, Barra, and Benbecula
• The Inner Hebrides including Skye, Mull, and Iona
• Orkney, archipelago off Scotland’s north coast
• The Shetlands, half-way between Scotland & Norway
• Packages include flights or ferries, car rentals, & lodgings. Please inquire.
FOR LODGINGS AVAILABILITY IN SCOTLAND’S ISLANDS, CONTACT US:
Scotland readily combines with many other Home At First destinations.
Achieve more than one European travel goal for just one transatlantic airfare.
Request Free Proposal for a Custom-Made Combination Trip with Price Quote Here
HOW TO BUILD, PRICE, AND BOOK YOUR TRIP —
Contact HOME AT FIRST: (800) 523-5842 (toll-free USA & Canada) • +1 610 543 4348 (worldwide) • info@homeatfirst.com